Wyndham Clark Makes History, Sets Shinnecock Hills Record at 2026 US Open

The famously tricky greens at Shinnecock Hills couldn't stop Wyndham Clark from making history during Friday's second round of the 2026 U.S. Open.

After opening the tournament with a 6-under 64, Clark closed out the second round with a 1-under 69 to mark the lowest 36-hole U.S. Open score at Shinnecock Hills.

Clark hit three birdies on the back nine, including one on No. 18, in order to take the outright lead heading into the weekend.

Clark's strong start is taking place after two recent top-three PGA Tour finishes, including a victory at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in May and a third-place finish at the Memorial Tournament in June.

"There was definitely a lot of uncertainty last year, even if I played good going into the weekend, just because I didn't really believe I could keep playing good, just because I hadn't seen it," Clark told reporters after Round 2. "Versus now, regardless of where my game's at, I feel like good things are going to happen, and I can continue to play good."

"Momentum's a huge thing in golf, and I feel like I have it right now."

Clark finished the first two rounds at Shinnecock in 133 strokes, beating the previous tournament course record of 134 set by Phil Mickelson and Shigeki Maruyama in 2004.

That also marked the second-best 36-hole score of Clark's major championship career, behind only his score of 131 through two rounds on his way to winning the 2023 U.S. Open.

Only three players have finished a Shinnecock U.S. Open under par. Retief Goosen set the record for the lowest winning score with a 4-under 276 back in 2004.

Shinnecock Hills organizers have worked to improve conditions at the course since the 2004 and 2018 U.S Opens with methods including moving holes to account for wind and periodically watering the course greens, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Clark will hope those changes continue paying off for him as he continues pursuit of his first major championship since the 2023 U.S. Open on Saturday in Long Island.